Sunset Fortress - more WIP

Been too long since I've been in front of the canvas.  So tucked the kids in, tucked my wife, earphones on, Pandora radio station of choice - Dido.  Tonight I straightened out some walls on the fortress.  Ah, the dangers of painting from a photograph...lens distortion makes the vertical walls of the fortress lean in towards the center...and that's what I painted.  So I fixed that tonight.  Also, spent a great deal of time working over the hillside before the castle.  The rocks are very difficult.  So next session I'll probably try and tackle the water which I think will really make this painting work.

Sunset Fortress - WIP

A little more progress on this fortress...still much to do.  I think I'm liking the sunlit atmosphere in this one! The white below the fortress is going to be a some light colored rocks leading down to the water.  My goodness, painting those rocks it proving to be difficult.

Untitled - WIP

Started a new one a few nights ago.  Worked a little more on it tonight.  Wow!  Walnut oil dry's sssslooooowlllllly.  This ones at that uncomfortably loose stage where I always wonder if I can dial it back it into the look I'm hoping for. 

Northwest Canyon - more WIP

More work on my canyon painting tonight.  Was only gonna' paint an hour...that was 2 hours ago :-)
This one's proving to be pretty tough given it's low-key value scheme, but a rewarding challenge!

Villa - WIP

Ugh...what a day.  Haven't held brush to canvas for awhile...was just what I needed.  Turn on the music, grab my favorite brushes, and paint the ugliness of the day away.   Think I like where this one's going...

8x10 Oil

A Tribute To My Mom's Art

Visited my mom this evening.  While talking art she dug out two photos of some of her art.  One was an oil painting she did from a Walter Foster book and the other an ink drawing .  I remember other ink drawings I saw when I was growing up and they were all amazing.  The Cougar drawing here, I remember hanging on the wall in my grandma's home.  It was huge!  The oil painting shown here was her first (yes, first) oil painting!

She doesn't draw or paint anymore (although I suggest she pick up a pen or brush from time to time), but she enjoys watching me learn my way around the canvas.  I certainly know where I got my love of art, now I can only hope some her talent rubbed off on me!!  So here's a little tribute to my mom's art, here on my little art blog!

Coldwater Lake Study

Did a quick little study tonight.  From a photo I took of Coldwater Lake up near Mount St. Helens. Hmmm, I think it needs more depth. Oil on 8x10 canvas board.